Amazon TV Streaming Device to Reportedly Launch in Early April

Amazon’s rumored TV streaming device will launch early next month as the company races to compete in the growing market of set-top boxes and HDMI sticks, The Wall Street Journal reports. Citing the usual “people familiar with the company’s plans,” the news outlet claims the device will be available through Amazon’s website as well as brick-and-mortar retailers including Best Buy and Staples.

The streaming device is expected to offer apps similar to Roku and Apple TV, including Hulu, Netflix and Pandora, while putting an emphasis on Amazon’s own streaming library. WSJ adds that it will run a modified version of Google’s Android OS. A report from TechCrunch on Monday said the device would be similar to the Chromecast in design, but also include the ability to stream PC games on your TV without any extra hardware.

Rumors of an Amazon set-top box have been circulating for months, so despite this recent slew of reports we wouldn’t get our hopes up just yet. Then again, Amazon’s recent decision to increase the price of Prime membership could be an indication that the online retailer is preparing to expand its growing ecosystem into the living room.